Smith, Joseph
Selection of the Book of Mormon in the Deseret AlphabetPublished for Deseret University by Russell Brothers, New York 1869 - 116pp. Octavo [22.5 cm] 1/2 blue leather over light blue printed boards. Better than very good. The University of Deseret intended to publish the Book of Mormon in three separate parts for the use of school children and incoming immigrants. Only part one was ever printed. "[Brigham] Young therefore directed George D. Watt, an Englishman, and an early Mormon convert, to create a new alphabet based on English language phonic values. Watt may have been Young's personal secretary. What is certain is that he was an expert in the then-new and very popular Pitman system of shorthand. The alphabet assignment was handed to Watt in 1853, and by the following year he was able to lay before Young a 32 - character system (eventually increased to 38)" - Wentz, Roby 'Thirty-eight Mormon Characters' p.12Jacobs 86 Bs. Flake/Draper 608. [Attributes: First Edition; Hard Cover]
[Bookseller: Tschanz Rare Books]